Melwah Racing 2026
About the event
Melwah Racing returns for its 2026 edition at the Saudi Falcons Club grounds in Malham, north of Riyadh, from 4 to 9 October 2026. The annual race is organised by the National Center for Falcons, and pits falconers against one another on how well they have trained their birds for peak speed and fitness.
A falcon is released from its falconer’s hand across an open field and flies to the melwah handler over a distance of 200 metres; the fastest recorded time wins, which makes each run a test both of the bird’s physical condition and of the training behind it. Entry is by invitation to Saudi falconers in Malham, while spectators come to watch the birds in flight.
The race is run by the National Center for Falcons, established by royal order to look after falconry and preserve its heritage. Its stated aims are training young people in melwah racing, enabling falconers to practise the sport, introducing the race to the wider public, and organising national participation in falcon events.